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New Belgium enters the gluten-free market

As any gluten-free (read: sensitive vs. celiac) beer drinker will tell you, Omissiontends to be the best-tasting mass-market option around, because it's regular beer with the gluten stripped out versus an alternative grain beer.

Based on what's mentioned in the press release below, I suspect New Belgium is using the same Brewers Clarex that Omission utilizes. (Click that above link for more on that enzyme.)

Both New Belgium bottles will be hitting local shelves around mid January, according to Pikes Peak Beer Ranger Travis Flett.

Here's all the details from a press release:

Glütiny Golden Ale
New Belgium dosed Glütiny Golden Ale with Nugget, Goldings and Cascade hops, and then dry-hopped it again with Cascade. These bright, floral hops lend grapefruit and subtle herb notes to the wash of bready-sweet malts. An addition of oats adds a layer of smoothness to the mouthfeel. At 5.2 percent ABV and 20 IBUs, Glütiny Golden Ale is a sessionable, flavorful ale that starts sweet and ends crisp.

Glütiny Pale Ale
Glütiny Pale Ale has a hefty dose of exotic Equinox hops, which bring out guava, papaya and stone fruits lending to a sweet, slightly toasty malt flavor. Additional hops include chinook, cascade and crystal. The beer starts with a light sweetness that slides into a balanced bitterness. The mouthfeel is juicy with a crisp finish. Glütiny Pale Ale comes in at 6 percent ABV and 30 IBUs.

For both beers, New Belgium’s brewers used an enzyme to break down the proteins that trigger a reaction from gluten-sensitive consumers. The beers are technically gluten-removed rather than gluten free, but fall well within the FDA’s guidelines of less than 20ppm. All New Belgium gluten-reduced beers will come in under 10ppm.

“When we started experimenting with the recipes, we wanted to create beers that our most adventurous craft beer drinkers would enjoy” said Bryan Simpson, spokesperson for New Belgium Brewing. “We didn’t want to compromise on flavor, mouthfeel or body. These beers deliver the full flavored experience craft drinkers expect foremost with the added benefit of being gluten-reduced.”

New Belgium’s Glütiny ales retail for a suggested price $9.99 a six pack.